Glenn Earl starting this season???

[BuffSoldier]

By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com

Don't be surprised if Glenn Earl, the Texans' fourth-round pick from Notre Dame, eventually ends up pushing starter Eric Brown at strong safety. Brown struggles in coverage, which is among Earl's many strengths. However, Earl did suffer a season-ending knee injury as a senior.

I really didnt think we would be seeing that much action from Earl that early, because of his injury and all. Seems like he must be recovering fairly quick.

[BornOrange]

When he said that Earl may "eventually" end up pushing Brown, that could mean toward the end of the season.

I would be pleasantly surprised if Earl plays at all this season.

Tony Hollings was able to start training camp but he was never at full speed last year, even though his injury occurred early in his last year of college. And even that was considered an exceptionally speedy recovery.

Earl's injury was toward the end of the season. If you add a couple of months to Hollings' recovery schedule to correspond to when Earl's injury occurred you have Earl returning a month into the season, about the time a decision has to be made whether to put him on the roster and cut someone or keep him on injured reserve. At that point, Earl still wouldn't be at full speed. And all that is contigent on Earl having the same speedy recovery Hollings had.

My bet is Earl stays on the injured list all year.

[aj.]

What concerns me is that Earl and R Walker (behind Brown) are both 7-9 months off ACLs. I could see a PUP in one's future.

[Texansbacker]

That would put our top two strong safety backups a big maybe to perform this season. I guess that means the coaches think Marlon McRee could fill Brown's shoes if he goes down to injury. I sure hope our injuries are a minimum or it will not be nearly as fun.

[BuffSoldier]

Earl didnt injure his knee that much later than Hollings tore his ACL. Hollings tore his ACL in his 4th game with GT and Earl was injured in his 6th. Plus im not sure if Earl tore his ACL or if he injured another part of his knee.

[aj.]

Earl and R Walker were both ACL tears. Earl's surgery was on November 1 and Walker's was about a month later. It's hard to come back full strength in less than a year from these injuries (Hollings is a good example). We may not know Earl's full value until '05. We shouldn't expect much more than special teams and spot backup duty out of him this year. If he is able to deliver more than that, it's a bonus. I have read that his rehab is going very well.

[keyfro]

earl has the potential to overtake brown..and i think that's what Vic Carucci trying to say...not that he would but if he's heathly don't be surprised...i hope earl can take the starting job...he's a great strong safty in the making...should be interesting to watch as the season progresses

[El Tejano]

I am going to go with V's perspective on our rookies. If we can get two starters out of this draft it will be a very good thing.

[nunusguy]

Anybody got the details on Earl's injury. Having a season ending knee injury almost always happens to an offensive skill position player, usually RBs of course. Can't recall a DB having this kind of injury. Perhaps Earl was returning a
punt or kickoff when he was injured ?

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Anybody got the details on Earl's injury. Having a season ending knee injury almost always happens to an offensive skill position player, usually RBs of course. Can't recall a DB having this kind of injury. Perhaps Earl was returning a
punt or kickoff when he was injured ?

Did you watch a texans game last year?

If you did not both Kenny Wright (CB) and ramon walker (SS) are defensive back who were lost to knee injuries last year and mentioned on threads in this forum..

Defensive lineman (Seth Payne) also get season ending knee injuries.

[nunusguy]

Of course you're right Arlington, thanks for waking me up ! The S.Payne injury was the most significant injury of our season last year ! Yup, that happened in NO - second or third game of the year after Payne had a career day in the opener down in South Florida. Huge injury for our team ! But I don't remember
the details with our DBs. Anyway, thanks for bringing me back to reality.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Of course you're right Arlington, thanks for waking me up ! The S.Payne injury was the most significant injury of our season last year ! Yup, that happened in NO - second or third game of the year after Payne had a career day in the opener down in South Florida. Huge injury for our team ! But I don't remember
the details with our DBs. Anyway, thanks for bringing me back to reality.

Just hang in there, July is horrible for sports (especially football), but by the end of the month training camps will be open.

[Corrosion]

From NFL.com

Don't be surprised if Glenn Earl, the Texans' fourth-round pick from Notre Dame, eventually ends up pushing starter Eric Brown at strong safety. Brown struggles in coverage, which is among Earl's many strengths. However, Earl did suffer a season-ending knee injury as a senior.

Lets hope (maybe not this year) this guy and our two first round picks make us completely forget about not making a trade ......um whats his name ..... :hehe: (Sean Taylor , who went 5th to the skins)

[TEXANS84]

Been posted.
Glen Earl

[H-TownRules]

Earl seems like a longshot for playing this year. I think he'll stay the year on IR and then serioulsy cut into Brown's playing time next season. If he doesnt become the starter in 05, 06 will be the year he pushes Brown behind him on the depth chart.